Always at this time
of the year the “Football Bug” bites me as I drive past
St. Peter’s High School and see those young men out on the
field sweating while they do their drills in preparation for another
high school football season. Having played high school football
myself many years ago, I can attest to the fact that playing at
this level is a mixture of rapture and agony.

Before the game the team dresses and hangs around the locker room.
Tension and anxiety fill the room. The coach comes and gives a pep
talk, challenges the players to give their best, and assures them
that their parents are there.

“Make them proud,” he says. Then after the endless
waiting we take the field for warming up and stretching exercises.
Then we huddle on the sideline and rally each other’s courage.
On the field, under the lights, before the home crowd, all these
things come together and we feel like throwing up! Butterflies that
will not fly in formation in our stomachs make us feel lightheaded.

The whistle blows. The kickoff occurs. You run down the field
and either hit or get hit by someone on the other team. Now you
are ready to play. The butterflies are going, the sick feeling is
past, and your joy at being a part of the game has replaced your
fear. What really happened? You made contact, or were contacted,
and survived. You get up, no longer a spectator. You are a participant.

To me this is the Good News of the Incarnation. God has decided
to enter the world in all its messiness and participate in it fully.
God makes an innermost contact with us in our everyday living in
order that we might intimately contact God by following the Divine
example of sacrificial loving service. God is here to turn our eyes
away from our fears. God enters into our world, a world in which
a little bit of fear makes for reason and sanity, to call us into
the risky vocation of mission - that is, of serving all creation
in faith, hope and charity.

God’s purpose for us is not to be mere spectators of a fateful
divine comedy, but rather, active participants in a redemptive present
and future. Yes, there will be some hard knocks and even some times
when we will find ourselves flat on our backs, but faith will protect
us against all those fears that paralyze thought, poison the mind
and destroy character. However, as Karle Wilson Baker expressed
it, “[Our] Courage [will be] Fear that has said its prayers.”

Around the ParishPam Miller

I have eaten my
words. In the last edition of the Tower Chimes I wrote “This
is it. No more slaving over the typewriter or deadlines!”
Well, there wasn’t exactly a queue of volunteers to take it
over, so here we are.

We have gained some new people at the Sunday service and they
are very friendly -- just look around at the exchange of the peace.
Our summer “Tea Under the Trees” has been quite delightful.
Thank you, Margaret Harris, for organizing the volunteers, and thanks
to the volunteers for providing “elevenses” as we say
in Merrie Olde England.

At the Hymn Sing this summer, Tom Sarff chose hymns that we all
knew, so there was a glad sound. Solo anthems were sung by choir
members Ann Sohm, Jay Spadaro, Willie Black, Jr., Nancy Scromo and
Hal Reiersen.

In August we bid a fond farewell to longtime parishioner Anne
Kehoe, who has moved to Connecticut to be with her daughter and
grandchildren. Anne will be fondly remembered for her enthusiasm,
her good works, coat drives, food for our Pantry, taxiing parishioners
to and from church, appointments,- and so much more. Hopefully she’ll
be back for a visit from time to time to keep us posted on her comings
and goings in the new digs!

Victor Stanwick and wife, Susan, went to a conference in Florida.
Victor told that it was just like New York, but rainier. I picked
up the Staten Island Advance the other day and their picture was
in it with a huge write up about them eating fungus. However, it
didn’t go down very well at all..... And to add to things,
Victor recently underwent arthroscopic shoulder surgery.That’s
enough for now, Victor!

Alyson Reed has been appointed Exec.Director of the Maryland State
Commission for Women, an advisory body to the Governor and legislature
on women’s issues. Her sister Annie, a Boston architect, is
busily preparing for the birth of her second baby “around
Thanksgiving.”

There was a birthday celebration for John Watson at Adobe Blues
recently. He was very surprised when he walked in, and I don’t
think he had to buy a drink the whole evening! John spent a very
busy summer traveling to many exciting places, and he’s written
an article about his adventures that will appear in next month’s
Tower Chimes.

Judy Davis had a nice long visit with her mum in northern England.
She missed the Ice Cream Social after church - it was really yummy
and a perfect day to sample the delicious flavours provided by Serendipity.

Lou Ranieri, our new Youth Director, has had a wonderful response
to the summer clinics that were held at Christ Church. About 20
kids attended each clinic on a regular basis. Lou has many terrific
ideas to draw in more young people and we should be seeing more
exciting new programs this Fall.

Beth and Chip McLean are bursting with pride. Their youngest son,
Sean, will be attending Curtis High School in the Fall; son Kenny
has been chosen Captain of the Curtis swim team: son Brian, a sophomore
at the University of Delaware, is now their Mascot (the Blue Hen)
and will be performing at football games and basketball games. And
their oldest son Charlie, now in his junior year at SUNY Oneonta,
has been chosen as Captain of the swim team, and recently joined
the North Shore Rescue Squad here on Staten Island.

Dorothy Rapp reports that her son, Peter, will be inducted into
the Wagner College Hall of Fame on September 21 during their Homecoming
festivities. His late father, Dr. Michael Rapp, was also a Wagner
alumnus. Peter is Athletic Director for the Staten Island Academy,
runs their summer camp, and also coaches soccer and baseball. Peter’s
daughter, Terri Lynne, is a third-generation OB/GYN in the Rapp
family and practices in Lancaster, PA.

That’s it for now. But with a busy Fall season ahead I expect
that there will much more good news to share in future columns.
Don’t forget to keep me posted!

Women of Christ ChurchFr. Michael

On September 12,
the Women of Christ Church will resume their meetings on the second
Thursday of each month, beginning at 11:00 a.m. for the Eucharist
and Healing Service in the chapel.

A business meeting will follow with lunch and a program. Please
bring a sandwich; dessert and beverage will be served.

All women of the parish are automatically considered to be members
of the Women of Christ Church and are welcome to attend.

Vestry NotesNancy Reiersen

Following a two-month
summer hiatus, the Vestry of Christ Church will hold their regularly
scheduled monthly meeting on Monday, September 9 at 7:30 p.m. Many
important issues will be discussed at that time. The following is
a recap of some of the highlights from the most recent meeting on
June 10:

We are still looking for a new Treasurer. This post has been
vacant since February of this year. Interested candidates should
speak with either Father Michael or our Wardens, Willie Black,
Jr. and Richard Sigman.

Renovations and repairs continue in the church and parish buildings.
The leak in the church roof has been repaired and lightning rods
have also been installed.

Christ Church Scout Troop 111 recently replaced the church
basement steps and added a ramp on the side. Their work was superlative.

Father Michael and several members of Christ Church will be
participating in the September 11 Memorial Service at the Staten
Island Stadium from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. that evening.

Vestry meetings are open to any parishioner who wishes to attend.
In the interim, approved minutes from the May 13, 2002 meeting are
posted on the parish house bulletin board for those who wish to
review them.

Serendipity NotesNancy Reiersen

After a well-deserved
summer rest, the members of Serendipity are anxious to get things
going again. Our “Mayham Dinner” was a great success.
We all worked hard, but the smiles on your faces, the sounds of
animated conversation and laughter and the piles of dirty plates
in the kitchen told us that everyone had a good time! Special thanks
to Colin Reed for coordinating the entire event and soliciting so
many sponsors, and to all of you who showed your support by coming
out that evening.

Although our “future” events for the new season are
not quite as elaborate, our aim is for everyone to have a great
time. Right now we are still in the planning stages, but there will
be more Sunday brunches, pasta suppers and “Fat Tuesday”
pancake dinners.

Our meetings are held on the third Tuesday of every month at the
homes of our members. We have a great time sharing fellowship and
making plans for upcoming events. Our next meeting will take place
on Tuesday, September 17 at 7:30 p.m. at the home of Judy Davis.
Please come and join us!

Great Job Opportunities
at Christ Church!Nancy Reiersen

WANTED:

One Church School Director

One Assistant Church School Director

Four (at least) Church School Teachers

QUALIFICATIONS:

The desire to spend one hour each Sunday with a group
of intelligent, loving, and inquisitive children who want
to learn more about God and the church.

The desire to be part of their spiritual journey.

THE REWARDS:

The joy of seeing our young people grow into the Body
of Christ.

The satisfaction of knowing that these children will one
day be the future leaders of Christ Church.

Think back to your own childhood. Wasn’t there at least
one favorite teacher who left you with a special memory, challenged
you to learn more about a particular bible passage, led you in a
favorite prayer or children’s hymn or helped you to create
a special “arts and crafts” project that you still keep
today?

These are the some of the important memories of being a Christian,
and the foundation of the lives that we lead today at Christ Church.
And we are anxiously seeking a group of willing individuals who
will fill these spots for the new Church School season.

Our previous roster of dedicated Sunday School staffers have indicated
that it’s time to bring in some fresh ideas, new approaches
and new administrators and teachers. Our thanks go out to Nancy
Lettiere and Connie Black, who worked so diligently as Co-Directors
in the past; and also to Dianne Moller, Jeanne Mann, Mark Wynter,
Deirdre Aleman and Sarah Kanner who welcomed our children into their
classrooms.

So far, there is just one parishioner who has offered to take
on the Sunday School Director’s position; however, we need
many more of you to “step up to the plate” and lend
a hand. Won’t you please give this your prayerful consideration
and take on one of these truly rewarding positions? No, it won’t
net you a pay check every Sunday; but then again, how do you put
a price on a smile, a word of thanks and the knowledge that in some
small way you have made a difference in the lives of our young parishioners
here at Christ Church – now, and in the years to come.

Please contact Father Michael if you’ve got some time to
share.

What's Missing?Willie F. Black, Jr.

I am really having
a difficxlt time. I am attempting to write a colxmn on Stewardship
and enxmerate ways yox can share yoxr Time, Talent and Treasure.
However, the spell check on my compxter won’t cooperate. Every
time I try to xse it, it will not correctly spell a word containing
the twenty-first letter of the alphabet, bxt sxbstitxtes the letter
“x” instead. It has made the twenty-first letter the
“missing link.”

I was going to invite all of yox to participate in this year’s
campaign. We have decided on the theme “Share ALL God’s
Gifts.” One of the first events will be on Sxnday, September
22, 2002, which we have designated as “Jeans Sunday.”
We will all work together to get God’s hoxse ready for the
coming of his Son. We hope that everyone will participate and do
their part, as we share oxr fellowship and show that we can work
together to get the job done. Refreshments will be served. If yox
have a special area in which you desire to work, please contact
one of the Wardens (Willie Black, Jr. or Richard Sigman) or Gytha
Bellaby.

I hope that yox will be present to share yoxr Time and Talent.
Members of the Vestry will be present to answer any of yoxr qxestions
concerning yoxr participation on chxrch committees and other ways
in which yox can become involved. Join xs! Don’t be the missing
link. Otherwise, oxr efforts - jxst like this colxmn - will not
make any sense. Don’t let oxr efforts be in vain. We need
YOX to make it happen.

Spring Fair a Fun-Filled
Success Gytha Bellaby

June 15 was one of
those days when we kept trying to decide whether we should set up
tables inside or outside. Finally we decided that we would “step
OUT in faith.” Good choice! And thanks to Jill Kanner, the
“set-up” crew could rely on a continuous supply of hot
coffee, croissants, bagels and other goodies.

We had a few new items on sale this year: Joan Rock’s homemade
aprons and pie carriers, and the Wynter, James and Coulbourne families’
“Island Food.”

Thanks to Nick Dowen and Paul Smith for graciously conducting
tours of the Church throughout the day. One of the highlights of
the day was the men’s choir singing “The Battle Hymn
of the Republic” and our National Anthem. Their singing was
both inspirational and talented.

Mark Wynter was on hand to supply us with a variety of recorded
music, and Bill Keck entertained us with vocal and guitar selections
of favorite folk tunes. Richard Keyes generously offered to donate
a 32” TV for one of our raffles (in memory of his mother),
and as luck would have it, a young lady from the neighborhood was
the winner.

In the absence of our longtime parishioner Joyce Rowan,who has
moved to Pennsylvania, Fair Co-Chair, Jeanne Mann and her creative
team of willing workers put together the lovely selection of raffle
baskets that were on display that day. And once again this year
the kid’s games/table made a profit. Thank you, Sarah Kanner
and friends! The Girls Nite Out group was outstanding in selling
games and toys. I think some of them had to test the games before
they were sold! Thanks to Jeanne Mann, Diana Yates and the young
ladies.

We sold American flags, sunglasses, tapes, and CD’s and
had a silent auction. Even the NYFD was there with a fire truck
for the kids! There was a great plant selection, run by Valerie
Quinlan. And of course it wouldn’t be a Fair without “Colin’s
Corner.”

Rick Boody controlled the admission and door raffles. And even
though Shirley Black was laid up in the hospital for several weeks
we did well on the 50/50 raffle. Thank you Shirley! And thank goodness
for Margaret Harris and her ladies (and men) for handling the cake
table which was filled with a marvelous selection of home-baked
goodies. Oliver and Regina Simpson, as usual, were very adept at
sampling and selling!

As everyone knows, the Fair would never be a success without those
quiet, diligent people who do the “little” things. Thanks
to Nick Lettiere who took care of the vendors and helped out in
so many other areas. And special mention to members of our scout
troop who worked so hard to help set up, take down, carry, etc.,
etc. under the careful guidance of their Troop Leader, Buster Black.

One thing we can all count on is the White Elephant, with Connie
Ricciardi and her ladies doing a superb job, spending many, many
hours prior to the Fair sorting, cleaning and tagging hundreds of
items. Of course, the food selections were excellent. “Al
Fresco” dining was provided by Susan Fowler and Victor Stanwick
at the grille with a great selection of burgers and franks, ably
assisted by John Watson, Father Michael and John Gatti. David Wood
supplied sandwiches and home made gazpacho for the lunch room –
this year served warm because of the cool weather. What a hit!

Thanks to Diana Yates’ wonderful article in the Staten Island
Advance we had people stopping by to view all of the treasures of
our church. Many thanks also to Nancy Scromo, Linda Reiersen and
Leslie Sullivan for their help in the publicity area. Cheryl Wheeler
did a “blow up” job of filling and tying balloons (red,
white and blue, of course!).

This year Serendipity, under the tutelage of Colin Reed, resurrected
the “Mayham Dinner (this year on June 1)” as our pre-Fair
event. The event was delicious and successful.

All in all the Fair was a great day for one and all and we made
about $9,000 (this includes proceeds from the Mayham Dinner.) There
were so many wonderful and generous people who made it all possible
and I would like to thank each and every one of you for your generosity
and your support.

Concert Series ReturnsValerie Quinlan

The final performance
in the Christ Church 2002 Concert Series will feature Romanian born
flutist, Georgette Ionesco. She will be joined on the program by
the award winning Italian pianist, Sandro Russo. The program, which
is free to the public, will be presented on Sunday, September 15
at 3:00 p.m., followed by a “Meet the Artists” reception
in the Parish House.

Ms. Ionesco and Mr. Russo will perform works by Franz Schubert,
and two renowned 20th century composers: the Frenchman, Francis
Poulenc, and the Romanian, Georges Enesco. Other composers who will
be featured on the program include Bach, Chopin, Gluck, Debussy,
Robert Sparer and Seymour Bernstein.

Georgette Ionesco studied at the Conservatory of Music in Bucharest,
where she received her masters degree. She has performed with the
Romanian Philharmonic, the Vienna Philharmonic and the Chamber Music
Orchestra of the Israel Philharmonic. Presently she is director
of the Staten Island Conservatory of Music and a member of the Wagner
College music faculty. She is also president and CEO of Pro Musica
Corp.

Sandro Russo, a native of Sicily, Italy attended the Conservatory
V. Bellini, where he graduated suma cum laude in 1995. Since then
he has performed in recitals in Italy and the United States and
appeared as a guest soloist with the Staten Island Symphony and
Brooklyn Conservatory Orchestra.

The Christ Church Concert Series has been generously funded by
an Encore grant from the Council on the Arts and Humanities for
Staten Island, with public funding by the New York State Council
on the Arts. Additional support has been provided by the Staten
Island Bank and Trust Foundation.